- Brittany Goff
A Not So Ordinary Christmas!
Christmas is known for being the season of giving but how many of you can name every gift you received last year? The year before? How about when you were 10? I can't either. What I do remember is, putting out cookies for Santa Clause, helping put the Christmas tree up, and having the best Christmas meal with my entire family. Those are memories I'll never forget, the gifts I got...well they are long gone.
This Christmas my goal is to share experiences! The benefits of non-material gifts are for one, no clutter, bonding time, making memories, can be the start of a new tradition, and best of all the memories will always last longer than a material gift. The time and memories I have with friends and family who are no longer with us are a gift in itself.
The question I face every year is what to get my family who has everything they really need? Especially when it comes to my husband who has all the music equipment he needs, and I have no clue what quality music gear to even buy. He's not a big fan of clothes or gifts and rarely keeps up with them. But one thing he did want to keep was our tickets to our first concert together, our cards from our first vacation, and the vouchers from our first Nascar race. So, the answer to me seems simple... DO something for them rather than BUY some(thing).
I learned something when I started organizing as a business and that is kids today have up to 200 toys on average, and only play with about 10-12 of them. I organized a home for a family that was overrun with toys and crafts. They were filled with worry about their little girl returning home from school and not finding all of her toys out and some missing. Turns out, she didn't even realize they were gone! The best part was, she was excited to have a place for her toys and that she knew exactly how to put them away. The reward for donating and downsizing her toys was they got to make space to put their Christmas tree up early. Not only did she understand she got rewarded with something she wanted to do, but she was helping other kids by donating some toys and backpacks. How great was that lesson?
If you absolutely must buy a material a gift or two, make the gift-giving an experience. Try a treasure hunt by wrapping several clues around the house until they find their real gift. I guarantee that will be an eventful Christmas morning they won't forget!
So this year why not try to buy less and do more? Avoid the crazy malls and crowds because who really wants to be an observer of people fighting over towels? The options are boundless but listed below are some of my favorites. Feel free to leave some comments on what you plan to do this holiday season. And remember this, people may not always remember what you bought but they will always remember how you made them feel.
Non Material Gift List
For Him:
Camping / Hiking Trip
Sporting Event Tickets
Concert Tickets
Breakfast In Bed
Massage Gift Card/ or personally
Pay for a day of golf for him and a pal.
Renew His Hunting License
For Her:
Paid Hair Appointment
Manicure/ Pedicure
Romantic Dinner Date
Flower Arrangments (vase can be reused or regifted)
Wine Tasting Trip
Breakfast In Bed
Spa Day
For Couples:
Movie Night
Cooking Class
Painting / Pottery Class
Karaoke Night
Visit an Art Museum
Visit a Botanical Garden
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Horseback Riding
For Kids:
Museum, Theme Park, Zoo Membership
Ice Cream Date or Teach them how to make ice cream.
Hot Chocolate / Smore's Night
Make Kits For The Homeless
Batting Cage Day
Jump Park Day
Swimming Lessons
Music Lessons
Library Card or Itunes Card
Hope these help get you started, happy holidays friends!
Pictures by me and Pinterest